Onur Küçükakdere – President / Railway Tranport Association

Due to its geopolitical location, Türkiye has maintained its position as a bridge between Asia and Europe for centuries. This bridge role becomes even more valuable today, as global trade grows rapidly, energy resources diversify, and sustainability criteria come to the fore. Rising costs, particularly in the logistics sector, the environmental burden of road transport, and the vulnerabilities in global supply chains are causing rail transport to come to the fore again. For Türkiye, this is not only a regional advantage, but also an integral part of its vision of becoming a central country in the global logistics network.

In recent years, Türkiye has been trying to increase its freight transport capacity by making major investments in railway infrastructure. While the railway network of approximately 14,000 kilometers is supported by high-speed train lines and logistics center investments, the development of intermodal transportation aims to transfer cargo between different modes of transportation more quickly and efficiently. This creates a system where freight can be easily transferred between trains, ships, or trucks.

These steps are critical for both reducing logistics costs in domestic trade and enhancing international competitiveness. At the same time, the railway is an environmentally friendly transportation model and aligns with the European Union’s Green Deal vision. Considering that the majority of Türkiye’s exports are to EU countries, railway solutions that reduce road dependency and lower carbon emissions are among the factors that will determine the competitive advantage of Turkish exporters in the future.

One of the most striking aspects of Türkiye in terms of railway logistics is that it is a strategic transit country between the East and the West. The route from China to Europe, known as the Middle Corridor, stands out with its shorter transit times compared to traditional routes such as the Suez Canal. In particular, the bottlenecks in world trade in recent years and the disruptions in the Panama and Suez Canals have further increased the importance of alternative routes. At this point, Türkiye is becoming not just an option but an increasingly reliable and preferred route. The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars line, the Marmaray connection, and new investments that will facilitate border crossings increase the efficiency of the Middle Corridor. The strengthening of the Middle Corridor creates new opportunities not only for Türkiye but for all trade relations between Europe and Asia. In this process, Türkiye is increasingly strengthening its potential to become a logistics hub, moving beyond being a mere transit point.

Of course, this transformation also presents some challenges. Technical needs such as modernization of infrastructure, expansion of signaling and electrification lines, and increasing investments in wagons and locomotives still continue. For rail transport to become a more robust alternative, the private sector must become more involved in the system. The effective use of freight villages, public-private sector collaborations, and the acceleration of digitalization present significant opportunities for the growth of the sector.

For example, applications such as tracking train services on digital platforms, electronic processing of documents at border gates, or artificial intelligence-supported route planning can make the sector much more modern and efficient. Furthermore, streamlining customs procedures at border crossings and increasing compliance with international standards will be decisive in increasing the share of rail in Türkiye’s trade with the European Union.

The sustainability factor, which is becoming increasingly important in the global logistics sector, also makes railway investments an environmental necessity for Türkiye. The railway, which emits four times less carbon than road transport, also contributes to Türkiye’s climate policies. From this perspective, the development of railway logistics is not only an economic choice, but also part of environmental and social responsibility. As green logistics standards are rapidly spreading in developed countries, Türkiye ‘s adaptation to this transformation presents a reassuring picture for both exporters and international investors.

Today, Türkiye is on the verge of transformation in the logistics sector. Railway investments are critical to increasing competitiveness in trade with the European Union, becoming a strategic hub in the Middle Corridor, and establishing an uninterrupted trade chain between Asia and Europe. Sharing Türkiye’s vision, particularly on international platforms, will increase the interest of foreign investors and open the door to new collaborations with international logistics players. The strengthening of railway logistics stands out as a factor that will shape the future of trade not only in T Türkiye but also between Europe and Asia. Every step Türkiye takes in this area will contribute to becoming a stronger, more reliable, and more sustainable hub in the global logistics network.